Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has confirmed she will leave the US telecoms regulator in January.

In an announcement, Rosenworcel said she will depart on January 20, 2025, the same date that Donald Trump is set to begin his second term as US President.

“Serving at the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of a lifetime, especially my tenure as chair and as the first woman in history to be confirmed to lead this agency," said Rosenworcel.

Rosenworcel has been chair of the FCC since 2021, when outgoing president Joe Biden began his term.

She first joined the FCC back in 2012, and was confirmed for additional terms by the US senate in 2017 and 2021.

Rosenworcel noted the broadband affordability program, which has connected more than 23 million homes to high-speed Internet, as one of her main achievements. She also stated the launch of the first-ever Space Bureau as a highlight.

Her replacement will be Commissioner Brendan Carr, who was named by Trump as the next Chair of the FCC earlier this week. Trump has described Carr as a "free speech warrior."

Carr has been a major critic of 'Big Tech' companies during his time at the FCC.

During his tenure, he has also been a vocal critic of China, advocating for the FCC's strong stance on Chinese telecoms companies.

In November 2022, he called for a total ban on the popular social media app TikTok in the US, citing the company's ties to the Chinese state.

He also criticized the Biden administration's $100 billion proposal for new broadband deployment investment.

At present, the current commission is made up of three Democrats; Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Geoffrey Starks, Anna M. Gomez, and two Republicans; Carr and Commission Nathan Simington.

Rosenworcel's departure will leave the Commission split 2-2 between the two major political parties.